Indonesia is host to a long history of gold mining and is responsible for a significant contribution to world gold production. This is true not only with regard to large gold mining companies but also to small-scale mining groups comprised of people and enterprises that participate in the gold industry of Indonesia. More than two thousand gold mining locations exist in present day Indonesia. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sites are spread out across thirty provinces in Indonesia, and have provided work opportunities and income for more than two million people. However, the majority of ASGM activities use rudimentary technologies that have serious impacts upon the environment, public health, and miners’ safety, which in turn generate socio-economic impacts for people residing around the mine sites. Moreover, many ASGMs are not licensed and operate illegally, meaning that they are immune to governmental regulation, and do not provide income to the regions and states via taxes. The possibility for more prudent management of ASGM operations could become a reality with the involvement and cooperation of all relevant parties, especially communities, local government, police, and NGOs.

The Indonesian National Police (POLRI) has succeeded in suppressing illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) that has been taking place in Mount Botak, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia. However, POLRI has only succeeded in creating a temporary absence of illegal ASGM. This study aims to analyse an additional role POLRI could play in achieving social and ecological justice by promoting a positive and functioning social order. We used a case study method to collect data from documentation and literature studies on illegal ASGM cases in Mount Botak. The findings of this study reveal that pressure by POLRI against national and local governments may have a positive impact on the absence of illegal ASGM. This study recommends that POLRI should, in addition to the performance of its formal role in enforcing the law against illegal ASGM and maintaining security and order, play a role as a pressure group acting on national and local governments to promote social order and to achieve social and ecological justice for communities around local mining areas.